POINT & COUNTERPOINT: Racial profiling can have deadly consequences

Racial profiling can have deadly consequences

Jul. 29, 2013

A boy wipes away tears during a church service where many of those attending wore hoodies in support of Trayvon Martin following a not-guilty verdict for George Zimmerman, who had been charged in the 2012 shooting death of Martin. / AP file photo

Written by

Kirkland J. Hall Sr.

The not-guilty verdict for George Zimmerman, brought about by a basically all-white jury, has caused a ripple effect all over the nation. What is refreshing is the fact that people of all races, all over the nation, are involved in an outpouring of demonstrations voicing displeasure and disagreement with the verdict in the shooting and killing of a 17-year-old African-American teenager.

The “stand your ground” law, as written, will in this writer’s perspective change all over the nation. Since the incident, prior cases have been revisited and old wounds opened. It seems the law has implications of being applied disparately with its implication to whites utilizing the law as a defense as opposed to people of color.

Based on Florida definitions of murder and manslaughter, the jurors claim they had no option but to find Zimmerman not guilty. But what do we say when young children ask why was Zimmerman found not guilty? All Martin did was attempt to go home; this should raise a “red flag.”

Racial profiling has been evident in this country for years. Now, discussions and debate on the issue will be the topic of many lawmakers who believe and are willing to admit we still have a racial problem in this nation called the “Land of the Free.” There is a call for all religious leaders to actively involve themselves in the discussion of this social problem and be bold enough to speak out on this issue. There is a call for all community leaders to involve themselves in the debate to rally for change by encouraging individuals to become more politically active.

Racial profiling should be discussed in history curricula across the nation in secondary and higher education. One rap singer has coined a song with the words that “my skin color is my sin.” It is frightening that so many of our young African-Americans believe that to be true. It is now past time for all citizens of this country to make their way to the table and speak what is on their minds, and no one should get upset with the other as Malcolm X said in the 1960s in a statement that still applies today.

It is past time to understand that because a person has a dark hue in skin color does not mean they should be looked at with suspicion of criminal intent because they decide to walk or ride in a different neighborhood. Yes, problems abound with “black-on-black crime.” Maybe America will see we still have some major racial issues that must be addressed immediately, before we are confronted with another Trayvon Martin case.

Kirkland J. Hall Sr. is president of the Somerset County Branch NAACP.